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How are You Different - April 12, 2006
Matthew 5:46-48 – 46 “If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your FATHER in heaven is perfect.” (NLT)
In GOD’S eyes, all humans are in the same condition. We are all under the power and control of sin. (Romans 3:12) Spiritually, we are all held captive as prisoners of sin, with only one way of escape, JESUS CHRIST. (Romans 7:24-25) So, in our spiritual condition without JESUS CHRIST, there are no differences among us. However, there do exist physical differences among us that we often use to distinguish ourselves on earth, but in the presence of the full truth, that is, the LIGHT, it becomes clear that we are in the same boat. As humans, we make a habit out of separating ourselves based on physical things such as: appearances, careers, education, financial status, religion, and many other things. But we must remember that these things pass with time, which ultimately leads to the fact that the differences we have strived to erect among ourselves on earth will eventually pass away. But spiritual things are beyond the reach of time and decay; so after these physical differences have withered, humans still remain in the same condition. That is, we are doomed to die and suffer eternally without hope, unless we receive the new life offered through JESUS.
So, given our common spiritual condition, why does the LORD encourage HIS disciples to be different?
Well, before the new birth, given that all people are under the power of sin, we all tend to behave the same way and operate in a manner contrary to GOD’S ways. We are trapped into following our sinful nature because we are clueless to any other way. However, when a person receives JESUS CHRIST and is thus born again, he gains awareness of another way. This individual begins to recognize that there is another way to do things, another way to live. Given this person’s new birth, he has thus stepped outside of the common spiritual condition of the human race and has entered into a position that GOD sees as favorable. This person then becomes a favorite of GOD, and can claim a difference from the rest of humanity. However, of great significance is the fact that this difference from the rest of humanity is not based on something physical, which passes with time, but rather on something eternal, which will last forever. Therefore, this person will be forever distinguished from the rest of humanity because he has become a new type of human.
So, given this new human that has been born, should he then carry himself like the rest of humanity who abides under the power of sin? No, absolutely not! This new human should be different. The LORD encourages HIS disciples to be different simply because they have been born again. That is, they are no longer under the power of sin. There is another way to live that they now know about. So, to retreat to the mentality and behavior of the old form of humanity would prove that there exists no difference between the old and new. However, the LORD encourages those who have been born again to be different because there is a difference between the old and the new. In fact, HE is the difference between the two! HE is the driving force behind the new creatures, whereas the sinful nature is the driving force behind the old creatures.
Today, is your life different from the rest?
Contributed by Earl D. Shaw
Matthew 5:46-48 – 46 “If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your FATHER in heaven is perfect.” (NLT)
In GOD’S eyes, all humans are in the same condition. We are all under the power and control of sin. (Romans 3:12) Spiritually, we are all held captive as prisoners of sin, with only one way of escape, JESUS CHRIST. (Romans 7:24-25) So, in our spiritual condition without JESUS CHRIST, there are no differences among us. However, there do exist physical differences among us that we often use to distinguish ourselves on earth, but in the presence of the full truth, that is, the LIGHT, it becomes clear that we are in the same boat. As humans, we make a habit out of separating ourselves based on physical things such as: appearances, careers, education, financial status, religion, and many other things. But we must remember that these things pass with time, which ultimately leads to the fact that the differences we have strived to erect among ourselves on earth will eventually pass away. But spiritual things are beyond the reach of time and decay; so after these physical differences have withered, humans still remain in the same condition. That is, we are doomed to die and suffer eternally without hope, unless we receive the new life offered through JESUS.
So, given our common spiritual condition, why does the LORD encourage HIS disciples to be different?
Well, before the new birth, given that all people are under the power of sin, we all tend to behave the same way and operate in a manner contrary to GOD’S ways. We are trapped into following our sinful nature because we are clueless to any other way. However, when a person receives JESUS CHRIST and is thus born again, he gains awareness of another way. This individual begins to recognize that there is another way to do things, another way to live. Given this person’s new birth, he has thus stepped outside of the common spiritual condition of the human race and has entered into a position that GOD sees as favorable. This person then becomes a favorite of GOD, and can claim a difference from the rest of humanity. However, of great significance is the fact that this difference from the rest of humanity is not based on something physical, which passes with time, but rather on something eternal, which will last forever. Therefore, this person will be forever distinguished from the rest of humanity because he has become a new type of human.
So, given this new human that has been born, should he then carry himself like the rest of humanity who abides under the power of sin? No, absolutely not! This new human should be different. The LORD encourages HIS disciples to be different simply because they have been born again. That is, they are no longer under the power of sin. There is another way to live that they now know about. So, to retreat to the mentality and behavior of the old form of humanity would prove that there exists no difference between the old and new. However, the LORD encourages those who have been born again to be different because there is a difference between the old and the new. In fact, HE is the difference between the two! HE is the driving force behind the new creatures, whereas the sinful nature is the driving force behind the old creatures.
Today, is your life different from the rest?
Contributed by Earl D. Shaw
